Postdoctoral Research Fellowship: Community-Based Educational Research (COMBER) X 2

Job description

• Join a dynamic research team led by the COMBER Research Director, Prof MN Hlatshwayo. The team seeks to advance knowledge in Critical Higher Education Studies, with a specific focus on student food insecurity, hunger and homelessness in South African higher education.
• The COMBER invites applications from outstanding early-career researchers for two Postdoctoral Fellowship positions in the field of Critical Higher Education Studies. The fellowship offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research addressing contemporary challenges in the field of Higher Education Studies.
• The successful candidates will become part of an active and collaborative research team that is committed to producing internationally recognised research that informs and shapes higher education policy, practices and the public opinion.

OUR RESEARCH VISION

• We are committed to advancing knowledge in the field of Critical Higher Education Studies. Through our research, we seek to shape and influence disciplinary knowledge, educational policy and the public media. Our work is unapologetically transformative, decolonial in nature and is committed to re-imagining higher education beyond the neoliberal commodified futures.

EXPECTED RESPONSIBILITIES The successful fellows will be expected to:

• Conduct high-quality independent and collaborative research.
• Publish regularly in accredited, high-impact journals.
• Develop competitive research grant proposals.
• Present research findings at national and international conferences.
• Participate actively in research seminars, workshops and international collaborations.
• Contribute to strengthening the university's international research profile.

Minimum requirements ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS Applicants should possess:

• A PhD in Education obtained within the last five years.
• Demonstrated research productivity through peer-reviewed journal publications, conference presentations, research reports, or other scholarly outputs.
• Strong qualitative methods research skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

FELLOWSHIP DETAILS Duration: ONE YEAR 1 with possible extension subject to satisfactory performance and research outputs for another 1 YEAR = 24 months. Additional renewals will depend on research performance availability of funding. Commencement Date: 1 October 2026 or a mutually agreed date. Stipend: R320 000.00 per annum tax free.

Research related expenses: R50 000.00 per annum.

Relocation costs: R20 000.00 per annum.

APPLICATION PROCESS All applications should be submitted Ms. Nthabiseng Mohobe: Nthabiseng.mohobe@nwu.ac.za .

Applications should include

• A motivation letter describing academic background, research interests, alignment with the fellowship's focus area.
• A proposed two-year research plan outlining intended research projects, expected publications, collaboration opportunities, and societal impact.
• A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae.
• A detailed publication list.
• Certified copy of the PhD certificate.
• Electronic copy of the completed doctoral thesis.
• Two recent peer-reviewed journal publications.
• Names and contact details of two academic referees.
• Certified copy of the passport/identity document

Apply by: 18 September 2026